.ZA Alternative Dispute Resolution Update

The .ZA Domain Name Authority (ZADNA) has updated the .ZA Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) regulations to include domain name disputes in net.za, org.za and web.za. Until now the regulations only applied to co.za domain name disputes.

To date around 200 Co.za domain name disputes have been processed through the ADR.

Lexsynergy has processed several disputes through the ADR with a 100% success rate. If there is a domain within co.za, net.za, org.za or web.za you want to recover, email us at support@lexsynergy.com. We will review your case and walk you through the full process.

Updated Restrictions for .FEEDBACK

 Here is some feedback from .feedback.

The registry has decided to require all .feedback registrants to make their “primary domain & and "www." sub-domain of the domain resolve or redirect to a feedback website where visitors can give actual feedback”.

We are uncertain what is meant by “actual feedback” but we assume they want to make sure that defensive domain name registrations do not ruin the intention of providing an avenue for feedback.

Well, in our opinion, if trade mark owners are bullied into a defensive registration then the TLD must suffer the consequences for the lack of use.

Is a contact page sufficient? Let’s wait for .feedback to provide feedback on that.

Imposing use requirements on registrants is counter productive, which may affect the long-term success of this opportunistic TLD.

More information about .feedback can be found at http://www.lexsynergy.com/tlds/feedback

Successful UDRP Complaint - forexthink.com, forexthink.biz, forexthink.info, and forexthink.org

Cybersquatters will often register domain names and use them to make a profit by displaying advertisements or information that compete with a legitimate business that has a similar name. In this instance, a cybersquatter registered forexthink.com, forexthink.biz, forexthink.info, and forexthink.org and placed advertisements  for various financial and investments websites that competed with our client ThinkForex. Lexsynergy was able to prove that these four domain names were confusingly similar to the trademark “ThinkForex” and that the cybersquatter was using the domains in bad faith.

Lexsynergy was successful in recovering forexthink.com, forexthink.biz, forexthink.info, and forexthink.org via the UDRP.

Read the full decision here: http://www.adrforum.com/domaindecisions/1634162.htm

One and Two-Letter .IE Domains Open For Registration

Anyone with a TMCH registered trademark can now register the matching one or two-letter .ie domain, such as aa.ie and hp.ie. The domains became available on 16 November and are available until 16 December under a Sunrise phase. In cases where multiple, eligible applications are submitted for a single domain name, an auction will be used to determine the successful registrant.

Lexsynergy is currently accepting applications for this special .ie Sunrise period. If you have a one or two letter trade mark and would like to apply for one of these premium domain names, email support@lexsynergy.com.

New gTLD Registrations Soar Past Ten Million As Generic Keywords Dominate Top Strings

The total number of domain names under management across all new gTLDs soared past the ten million mark on 17 November 2015. It was only back in mid-August 2015 that the total number reached seven million, taking two months to increase from six million. In early October 2015 total registrations passed the eight million mark, and nine million was reached on 3 November 2015.

Generic strings, including four aimed at the Chinese market, are dominating the top 30 by registration numbers and .xyz continues to be far and away the largest with registrations now approaching 1.7 million. The regional gTLDs, .nyc continues to be the largest with almost 87,700 registrations in 19th place while .london (65,200) and .berlin (58,000) in 24th and 28th are easily the most popular in this category.

Stay up-to-date as these new gTLDs keep launching with our Launch Timetable: http://www.lexsynergy.com/tld/new-gtld-launches

.feedback – Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down

When do you want feedback and when don’t you?

All brands appreciate feedback about their products and/or services, good or bad.
A Google search for the word FEEDBACK defines it as "information about reactions to a product, a person's performance of a task, etc. which is used as a basis for improvement."

A customer FEEDs communication BACK to the business, hence FEEDBACK. Feedback is often discrete or a direct communication between the customer and affected business. This channel is about to change with the launch of the new domain name extension .feedback.

There are many review services such as TripAdvisor and Yelp but none of them that allow a third party to register domain names that match registered trademarks. The TLD .feedback could create the impression that the user is communicating via a channel controlled by the trademark owner, which is not the case but rather via a third party moderator who collects the comments and data from the user.

A live example is www.fox.feedback which is owned by the TLD operator of .feedback. In order to post a comment or review about the famous FOX network a user needs to provide their email address or login via one of a few preselected social network services such as Facebook. See some reviews already posted at http://www.fox.feedback/reviews.

Besides the trademark issue that arises from a third party using a trademark without the required permission for a commercial purpose, the domain name is not controlled by the trademark so they cannot deal with issues raised. It could also create frustration from the user who may not receive feedback due to the aforementioned reason.

When a .feedback domain name is registered a review page is automatically created to allow for the submission of comments. This, however, can be avoided by paying a monthly fee. The monthly fee therefore allows the trademark owner to directly control the .feedback domain name. The extra payment is deliberately targeted towards trademarks owners who want to reduce their exposure to risk ultimately paying a premium to control their own domain name.

Launch information relating to .feedback can be found at http://www.lexsynergy.com/tlds/feedback

In order to simplify the registration process and to avoid the automated feedback form Lexsynergy has set the default registration setting of a .feedback domain names it processes to avoid the feedback platform consolidating the monthly fee into a single annual charge.

Whether you agree or disagree with the business model of .feedback the risk cannot be ignored.

Contact brandprotection@lexsynergy.com to discuss protecting your trademark in .feedback, .sucks and other high risk new gTLDs.

Nominet Now Offering Domain Lock Service

Nominet will now offer a registry level domain lock service for all domains in the .UK namespace. A domain lock means that no changes can be made to the Domain Name System (DNS) configuration unless unlocking is explicitly requested by a pre-authorised representative through an additional authentication process. This additional security layer provides peace of mind that changes cannot be made to the DNS without identity being thoroughly authenticated.

If you are interested in adding a domain lock to any of your domains within the UK namespace email us at support@lexsynergy.com.

Secure Your Matching .UK Domain For Free

Are you the owner of a co.uk domain name who has been waiting to secure your matching .uk domain? As a co.uk domain holder you have the first right to register the matching .uk domain and right now is the perfect time to do so.

For a limited time you now have the opportunity to register your matching .uk domain free of charge for the first year. Between 10 November 2015 and 7 January 2016 new .uk domain registrations will have the first year registration fee waived.

This is a great opportunity to secure your .UK domain name at no cost to you. The .UK extension is the shorter and more attractive option for businesses and individuals in the United Kingdom and we feel it will eventually become the default choice for UK brands. It is imperative that you secure these .uk domains before they become available to the general public.

Here are a few benefits to securing your .uk name:
*It’s a shorter UK focused web domain for businesses. It brings the UK domain space in line with the more familiar international format of other shorter country codes like .de and .fr
* It brings all the same benefits of trust, reliability and credibility as the .co.uk, .org.uk and other members of the UK domain family
* .UK is easier to remember and firmly states where you are and who your audience is

Please note:
* If you do not renew your domain you will lose the right of first refusal
* Any domain not renewed will no longer carry your right of first refusal
* The domain is free for the first year. After that normal annual fees apply
* co.uk domain names must have been registered prior to 6 June, 2014

If you have any questions about this promotion or would like to secure your matching .UK domain name free of charge, please email our 24/7 support team at support@lexsynergy.com.

Successful UDRP Complaint - sasoldocs.com and sasoldocs.mobi

Occasionally cybersquatters will be very bold and aggressive with the domains they register. In this case the squatter registered sasoldocs.com and sasoldocs.mobi with the intent to sell the domain names and/or sell its products to the Complainant (Sasol) and used the domain names as a bargaining chip in its negotiations. Lexsynergy filed a complaint with the UDRP and presented evidence that the squatter had engaged in a pattern of bad faith registrations and had targeted many well-known South African and International trademarks.

The UDRP panelists found that the domain name infringed on Sasol’s trademark and that the squatter was using the domain in bad faith.

Lexsynergy was successful in recovering the domain names sasoldocs.com and sasoldocs.mobi. Read the full decision here:

http://www.adrforum.com/domaindecisions/1622658.htm

IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION OF SCAM

We would like to bring to your attention a new phishing email being sent to domain name registrants. The email informs the registrant that the domain name has been suspended due to violations of the registrar's abuse policies. This email contains a link to download malicious software. We have included a sample of the message below for your reference.

We ask that if you receive one of these emails do NOT click on any links within and forward it support@lexsynergy.com.

This proactive notification is intended to draw your attention to scams as described above and to remind you to take care when engaging online services. If you are ever in doubt of the authenticity of an email from Lexsynergy, please contact our support department.

We will also shortly be sending out an email to clients on security best practices when managing your domains with Lexsynergy which we strongly advise you to read.

----------- BEGIN SAMPLE -----------

Dear Sir/Madam,

The following domain names have been suspended for violation of the Lexsynergy Limited Abuse Policy:
Domain Name:
Registrar: Lexsynergy Limited
Registrant Name:
Multiple warnings were sent by Lexsynergy Limited Spam and Abuse Department to give you an opportunity to address the complaints we have received.

We did not receive a reply from you to these email warnings so we then attempted to contact you via telephone.

We had no choice but to suspend your domain name when you did not respond to our attempts to contact you.

Click here and download a copy of complaints we have received.

Please contact us for additional information regarding this notification.

Sincerely,
Lexsynergy Limited
Spam and Abuse Department
Abuse Department Hotline: 480-184-8256
----------- END SAMPLE -----------

.WINE Pioneer Program

Be a Trendsetter in the Wine Industry by Securing your .WINE Domain Name

.Wine and .VIN are two of the newest gTLDs to enter the marketplace with a Sunrise scheduled to launch on 17 November. By participating in the .WINE Pioneer program qualified wineries have a chance to secure their .WINE domain prior to the Sunrise phase and at no cost for the first two years.
Lexsynergy is hosting an informational webinar about the .WINE Pioneer Program on Wednesday, 4 November at 13:00 UTC. Click here to register for the webinar.

Benefits of the Pioneer Program

• Be a first mover - obtain a .wine / .vin domain name before anyone else
• NO PARTICIPATION COST and registration fee waived for 2 years
• Many naming options available from exact match brand names to valuable generic terms
• Minimal technical requirements - simply redirect your existing site to .wine / .vin domain or use new URL as an opportunity to create a microsite, promotional campaign, product launch, consumer experience, etc.
• Create a promotional story and opportunity to reach / communicate with customers.
• Demonstrate awareness of new and innovative industry happenings.
• Inclusion in the official .WINE PR and press outreach. Donuts, the managing registry for .WINE, currently syndicates internationally across PR Newswire, OutBrain, Nativo, Inc. Magazine, and an extensive network of bloggers, respected spokesmen, and international media including CNN, CNBC, CBS, and Forbes (due for even greater amplification and internationalization in 2016).

Requirements of the Pioneer Program

• URL resolution of .wine / .vin domain name in the browser (IP 301 redirect or DNS CNAME satisfy requirements - Lexsynergy can assist with this)
• Must promote the domain in some way. This "promotion" requirement has been designed to harmonize with your brand's existing marketing and communications strategy and can include:  change of social media profiles to reflect new URL, social media communications of new address (Twitter, Facebook), offline/online advertisements listing new .wine /.vin URL, press release and promotion in partnership with Donuts, promotional webpage or microsite, etc.
• Must go live / promote site before General Availability (Jan 20th)

Places are limited for this program and Pioneer domain names assigned on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible applicants. If you are interested in participating in the .WINE Pioneer Program email us at support@lexsynergy.com

Successful UDRP Complaint - wwwsophos.com

A common technique of typosquatters is removing the “.” after the “www” in a web address. In this case a squatter registered wwwsophos.com which was confusingly similar to and an infringement on www.sophos.com. Lexsynergy was able to prove that the squatter used the domain for commercial profit based on the fact that it was so similar to www.sophos.com

Lexsynergy was successful in recovering the domain name wwwsophos.com via a UDRP complaint.
Read the full decision here:

http://www.adrforum.com/domaindecisions/1615016.htm

When Choosing Domain Names, Searchmetrics Suggests Don't Focus On Keywords

Leading SEO company Searchmetrics has conducted research to determine the most important ranking factors for high-ranking Google.com search results. They found the ranking factors most important are:

• relevant, holistic content is more important than ever
• responsive web design may be having a positive effect on ranking
• keywords are becoming increasingly obsolete while increasing numbers of high-ranking URLs are not using the corresponding keyword in the body or description
• the times of unnatural link building and maybe of links in general are or may soon be over
• social signals remain important for brand awareness and help to drive organic traffic to top ranking sites.

In short, when it comes to domain names, the Searchmetrics research finds that the share of keyword domains in the search results has decreased in recent years and they suggest when choosing domain names, to not focus on keywords.

To receive the full Searchmetrics research email us at support@lexsynergy.com.

.LAW and .ABOGADO Early Access Program

The .LAW and .ABOGADO Early Access Program (EAP) will run next week from 12 October to 18 October. The fees of an EAP registration will decrease as the days progress. Here is a summary of the EAP fee schedule:

October 12 ­‐ $10 945
October 13 - $3 225
October 14 - $1525
October 15 - $1015
October 16 - 18 - $575

Starting October 19, domains names can be registered at the standard price of $425 per year. Certain domain names have been classified as Premium and will be sold at higher prices.

If you wish to apply for a .law domain during the EAP or wish find out if the domain you are interested in is on the premium list email support@lexsynergy.com

In order to be eligible to register (and continue to be a registrant of) a domain name in the .LAW and .ABOGADO TLDs, the registrant must be a Qualified Lawyer. For the purposes of this eligibility criteria, a Qualified Lawyer is a professional who is licensed to practice law by an approved regulator of legal services in a given jurisdiction. A Qualified Lawyer must be identifiable as a currently licensed practitioner in the public records kept by the relevant approved regulator.

Applications for domain names in .LAW and .ABOGADO using a registrar proxy or privacy service or any other service having an equivalent effect will not be allowed.

.NYC – Collision List Name Release on 8 October

On October 8, 2015, in celebration of its first anniversary, the .nyc Registry will be making 16,674 of previously blocked .nyc Collision List domain names available for registration on a first-come, first-served basis. Many domains on this list consist of high value keyword and brandable names that are likely to be in high demand.  In addition, the .nyc Registry will also release the previously held 87 Abandoned Auction domain names from the .nyc Landrush Phase.

This will provide individuals and businesses in New York with an opportunity to register a host of short, memorable domain names in the .nyc name space that have previously been unavailable – all at standard .nyc prices.

To receive the list of domains that will be released, email us at support@lexsynergy.com

Reserved Name Lists Public Release Details
Release Date:    8 October 2015
Release Time:    3:00pm EDT – 5:00pm EDT*
List(s):               Names Collision List (sub-set); Abandoned Auctions List

*Please note:  the applicable names will be released in random order beginning at 3:00pm EDT and will be completed by 5:00pm EDT or sooner.

Successful UDRP Complaint - paperlessspost.com

One of the most common techniques of typosquatters is adding or removing a single letter from a trade mark. In this case a squatter added an extra “s” to Paperless Post and registered paperlessspost.com. Lexsynergy was able to prove that the domain name was confusingly similar to Paperless Post’s trade mark registration with the USPTO and that the squatter was using the domain in bad faith.

Lexsynergy was successful in recovering the domain name paperlessspost.com via a UDRP complaint.

Read the full decision here:
http://www.adrforum.com/domaindecisions/1629515.htm

Lexsynergy Founder and CEO Appointed to INTA’s Internet Committee

Daniel Greenberg, Lexsynergy’s Founder and CEO, has been appointed to the International Trademark Association (INTA) Internet Committee for the 2016-2017 term.

INTA’s Internet Committee develops and advocates the Association’s policy regarding the balanced protection of trademarks on the Internet. As a member of the committee, Mr. Greenberg will assist in the development in treaties, cases, legislation and regulation in various jurisdictions, complete analyses and propose policy recommendations to the Board.

Mr. Greenberg is an Intellectual Property attorney with over 15 years of experience in trademarks, copyright, domain names and brand enforcement online. He has been an INTA member for 7 years.

Lexsynergy Reseller Program

As a global domain name registrar, Lexsynergy has direct accreditations with over 950 TLDs including many IDNs and TLDs from complex markets such as Africa and China. For several years, other registrars have used Lexsynergy’s portal to gain access to these complex TLDs.

Lexsynergy now offers an official reseller program for registrars looking for a centralized place to manage their client’s domains. Lexsynergy provides a reliable, secure and streamlined system for domain name registrations, renewals and transfers and updates. To learn more about our reseller program visit our website - www.lexsynergy.com/reseller or email reseller@lexsynergy.com.

Lexsynergy Heads to Dublin for ICANN 54

Members of Lexsynergy's staff will travel to Dublin, Ireland to attend ICANN 54 which will be held between 18-22 October 2015.

The ICANN International Meetings are held three times a year in different regions and offer a great platform for the internet community to meet face-to-face, share ideas and establish new connections. Attendees will discuss Internet policies, new ICANN initiatives and the main issues facing the internet today including ways to respond to illegal or abusive use of the Internet's naming system.

More information about ICANN Meeting is available at http://meetings.icann.org

New Regional TLDs - .IRISH and .SWISS

Two new “country” gTLDs have recently entered the marketplace - .SWISS and .IRISH. Both of these TLDs present a clearly marked space for individuals and businesses associated with the Swiss and Irish communities.

These TLDs are important registrations for any trademark owners that currently have registrations within the ccTLDs for Ireland (.IE) and Switzerland (.CH). Many people outside of these two countries may not even know that .IE is Ireland and .CH is Switzerland. Within the new spaces of .SWISS and .IRISH there is no mistaking the link to their countries.

If you are interested in registering a .SWISS or .IRISH domain, please email your account manager or domains@lexsynergy.com.

Below are the launch details for each extension.

.IRISH
General Availability
Dates: 22 June 2015 – onwards
Annual Fee: £26/$44.20/€32.50/ZAR551

Restrictions
None

2015 Promotion
From now until 15 November 2015, Lexsynergy is offering a discount on .IRISH domain names. If you register a new .IRISH domain before 15 November you will receive 50% off the first year registration. To receive this discount you must email us at domains@lexsynergy.com

For more details regarding .IRISH visit: http://www.lexsynergy.com/tlds/irish

.SWISS
Sunrise and Limited Registrations
Dates: 7 September 2015 – 9 November 2015
Annual Fee: £89/$151.30/€111.25/ZAR1691

General Availability
Dates: 11 January 2016 - onwards
Annual Fee: £89/$151.30/€111.25/ZAR1691

Restrictions
To register a .SWISS domain within any launch phase you must qualify under the following criteria – must be a legal entity (not an individual) with a link to Switzerland. This link can include: A public body or another public organization registered under Swiss public law; a legal entity registered in the Swiss Commercial Register having its seat in Switzerland and an effective site of administration in Switzerland; or an association or foundation not registered in the Swiss Commercial Register having its seat and an effective site of administration in Switzerland.

If you wish to register a .SWISS domain but do not qualify under these restrictions, Lexsynergy can offer you a local presence service to enable you to register your desired domain within .SWISS. For more details on the local presence service please email us at domains@lexsynergy.com

For more details regarding .SWISS visit: http://www.lexsynergy.com/tlds/swiss

Two Character Domain Release - .koeln and .cologne

Two character domains are now available within the .koeln and .cologne TLDs. This creates many new possibilities to create a short and memorable domain name such as my.cologne or 1a.koeln. These domains can be any combination of letters and numbers.

Registration of these two character domains are currently available to only the City of Cologne and its associations and clubs. Starting 17 September at 00:00 CEST anyone can register a two character domain. At that time, all available two character domains will be open to general availability on a first come, first served basis with no restrictions.

If you are interested in securing a two letter domain email us for more details – support@lexsynergy.com